An interview with Media Violence Awareness Day coordinator Terry Gillespie of County Laois Ireland gives some background to this idea.

Question:    Why focus on “violent death for entertainment” rather than the general level of violence which is shown on television?

Answer:      One can count violent deaths. It is an objective measurement. There can be no argument. General violence is subjective; People may   disagree about what constitutes “violence”. There is no argument about what is a violent death.

Question:      Why choose 21st September? 

Answer:      The 21st September is “United Nations World Peace Day” This date is completely neutral from a political or religious point of view and it is suitable for an international campaign which may create the possibility of questioning an all pervasive culture of acceptance of violence.

 Question:     Is this an international campaign?

 Answer:       It will be. The objectives are that no violent death will be shown for entertainment on the island of Ireland on 21st Sept 2006. It is intended to seek to make it an EU wide campaign by 2007. (By Petition and also by contact with the Commission.)     After that.......... 

 Question:       Why seek only one day when no violent death for entertainment is shown on television?.

Answer:         This campaign is about raising public awareness; it is not about trying to ban violence on television. It is aimed at informing people and allowing people to act on their own considered views.  Hopefully, people will become more selective as a result, and in time, this will influence programme makers. The object is to get away from the mindless acceptance of violence and violent death as a routine and accepted element of our entertainment diet.

 Question:        What about formal media education?

 Answer:          Using the 21st September as a date when schools, colleges and media generally focus on the effects of violent death and general violence for entertainment purposes is a key element of the campaign. This widens the application of the day to cover video games, cinema etc.

 Question:          Does this campaign have any religious agenda?

 Answer:           No. While the idea originated within the Quaker Community in Ireland, and has the support of that community, it is intended to seek the widest possible multi faith support. All major worldwide faiths share a common respect for human life and dignity. This is one area where Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jew, Muslim, Sikh and people of no faith can agree.

 Question:           Does this campaign have any political agenda?

 Answer:           No. However many of the films that show most violent deaths do come from countries which have strong “gun cultures”

Question:            Is this campaign concerned about sex , bad language and other issues which could be considered as bad taste?

Answer:              While those involved with the campaign may have strong feelings about some of these issues, the campaign is focused on violence which, independent of issues of personal taste, has measurable harmful effects on viewers.